Cathleen Jan

I currently work at a pathology laboratory in the toxicology department. It’s satisfying to use all the theory and technical skills learnt in the classroom and apply it in the workforce - it makes all the studying worth it in the end.

I studied a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Melbourne. It was a general science degree and postgraduate studies are allowing me to specialise and develop the skills for a career in laboratory medicine.

The Master of Laboratory Medicine at RMIT is the only postgraduate program accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) and has academic staff linked to the industry.

The program provides a wide range of subjects – from biochemistry to cytology – to cater for all needs. I was particularly drawn to the Professional Practice and Laboratory Medicine Project subjects because you experience both diagnostic pathology and research laboratories.

While researching postgraduate programs, I couldn't see any other universities that were able to match up to the standards and opportunities that this program offered.

As part of the program, we took a tour at Melbourne Pathology. This was really beneficial because we got a taste of how pathology laboratories operate in the real-world. I also did a laboratory project with a pathology company who offered me a full-time job.

I'm still studying but have worked in two different laboratories and got my foot in the door in the medical field.

I currently work at a pathology laboratory in the toxicology department. It's satisfying to be able to use all the theory and technical skills learnt in the classroom and apply it in the workforce - it makes all the studying worth it in the end.

The program is accredited by Institute of Biomedical Science, UK, and I hope to head to the UK and work after I graduate.